More by Sam Carchidi

PITTSBURGH _ After Pittsburgh notched a meaningless 4-2 win over the Flyers to end the regular season Saturday, Penguins star Sidney Crosby was asked if his team sent a message to the visitors.

“No, I think the teams will dictate that message when the series starts,” he said.

The cross-state rivals will begin their Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Poll

Are you confident the Phillies will get their act together?

Yes. It’s only April and way too early to be concerned.

Maybe. I’m not in a panic, but I am worried a bit.

No. Losing two games to the pitiful Pirates showed me this depleted team will struggle to compete.

“Today was just a weird game," said Crosby after collecting a goal and an assist. “I think the teams will show their true colors in Game 1.”

The Flyers won the season series, four games to two. They were 2-1 against the Pens in games Crosby played.

Pittsburgh went on an 18-4-1 run to end the season.

“We wanted to finish strong,” Crosby said. “The real thing starts now. I expect a lot of intensity _ if anything prior to this is an indication. It’s the kind of series you want to be a part of.”

The Flyers also finished strong, going 13-5-2 in their last 20 games.

Flyers winger Scott Hartnell admitted there’s no love lost between the teams.

“There's guys there that you don't like that are obviously some of the best players in the league,” he said. “You see them on the highlights every night and it annoys you. For us to win this series, we're going to have to hold those guys down. I don't think you have to look very hard to get your blood boiling.”